Man O War pedigree

Excerpt:

“In 2010, Hill and her colleagues announced they had discovered how variations in the genetic code of thoroughbreds translated to speed. A gene called MSTN, associated with muscle growth, comes in two varieties, or alleles: C and T. Horses with two copies of the C allele are fast, short-distance sprinters. Horses with one C and one T tend to be strong middle-distance runners. And T/T horses have less speed, but greater stamina.”

“In 2010, Hill and her colleagues announced they had discovered how variations in the genetic code of thoroughbreds translated to speed. A gene called MSTN, associated with muscle growth, comes in two varieties, or alleles: C and T. Horses with two copies of the C allele are fast, short-distance sprinters. Horses with one C and one T tend to be strong middle-distance runners. And T/T horses have less speed, but greater stamina.”

“By testing historical samples related to Darley Arabian, the researchers were able to determine that he lacked the C allele.”

Here’s where they lose a large body of data relating to speed in the breed.

“It’s not clear whether the other two stallions (Godolphin and Byerley Turk) had this allele, but their contribution to the gene pool is minimal compared with Darley. That makes it most likely that the C variant entered the thoroughbred line through a single mare bred in the 17th century, right before the thoroughbred population closed off to outbreeding. The results show that the ‘speed gene’ entered the Thoroughbred from a single founder, which was most like a British mare…”

A stallion didn’t need to be prolific in those days in order to change the course of the breed. Could be that the ‘single founder’ was a daughter of Godolphin, or a daughter of the Byerley Turk. Just look at how Godolphin not only changed the breed, but founded a new strain; characterized by speed.

For example: Cade, Matchem, Selima*, Janus5 (imported to the USA – foundation stallion for the fastest breed alive, the American Quarter Horse), Eclipse, Highflyer, Regulus, Blank…

In fact, it didn’t matter which side of the pedigree he was on, either.

The Byerley Turk established several well known lines through his daughters, and contributed significantly to female families 1, 2, 3, 8 (Orville), 17 (Maid of All Work, Sancho, Cowslip, Rachel), 21 (Selima*…), and more. He contributed to male lines as well; Jigg, Herod, Woodpecker, Snap, Sir Peter Teazle…

While Darley was selected because he represented the conformation/type breeders of the day wished to emphasize, and is seen in approximately 90% of today’s sirelines, Godolphin and the Byerley Turk were profoundly influential in both obvious and obscure ways, working prodigally everywhere else in those pedigrees. Personally, since speeds improved when Godolphin offspring arrived on the scene, and since Godolphin had a clear impact on the speed of the earliest Quarter Horses, I’d venture a guess that he was a viable candidate for the ‘C’ factor.

Secretariat had an astounding concentration of Godolphin daughters in his pedigree, especially through the explosive nick established by Lexington and Glencoe, which came through his sire, Bold Ruler. His large heart was attributed to Princequillo, which would have been predominately due to the influence of the Glencoe daughter, Pocahontas (many feel that her x factor came from Eclipse, while there are others who attribute the gene to Godolphin).

Man O War (in the opening of Marguerite Henry’s ‘King of the Wind’) was also a treasure trove of Godolphin blood, having descended directly from him in his sire line, and benefiting from the dispersal of Glencoe daughters throughout his pedigree, one of which (on his dam’s side) was responsible for his large heart expression.

Another significant horse is mentioned in the article, and that is Nearctic.

Interestingly, while Nearctic’s (pedigree here) sire is Nearco, whose damline traces directly to the Lexington/Glencoe mare, Maiden, his direct damline traces directly to Pretty Polly.

Pretty Polly’s pedigree is impressive, however there is an interesting parallel to be noted.

Pretty Polly’s tail female line leads to Wallflower, and then to Daphne, where there is a very interesting turn. From Daphne, the eye goes to Wagtail, through Laurel. Wagtail’s tail female line leads to a mare named ‘Sophia’, a daughter of Godolphin. Sophia has exactly the same grandparents as the great mare Selima* imported to the US in the 18th century. Selima’s influence was incalculable. Without her, horses like Lexington (the fastest 4 miler of his time), and by extension, Spendthrift, the great grandsire of Man O War, wouldn’t have existed.

In fact, Wagtail had a rather large dose of Godolphin and Byerley Turk offspring throughout her pedigree, from her grandsire Sancho, to Sir Peter Teazle, Trumpator and Luna on her sire’s side, to Highflyer, Cantatrice, Eclipse, Brilliant Mare, and Sophia through Sampson mare2 on her damside, all looking dominance, and all deserving their proper place history.

Revisiting the influence of the Godolphin horse, and the Byerley Turk is not only worthwhile, it is very possibly essential in understanding the full capacity and potential of the Thoroughbred horse going into the future.

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Interestingly, Buckpasser also has Teddy in an X position. A stamina influence. Perhaps it’s just as important to have the ‘stayer’ blood in X lines, as well as the ‘speed’ X.

In the pedigree of stamina icon Red Rum, there are stamina X horses from top to bottom: Bois Roussel (same dam as Bull Dog – Plucky Liege and worth a mention even though his X stops with Quorum and is not passed to Red Rum), Solario (broodmare sire is Sundridge), Blenheim, and Buchan – all in the first five generations. A friend writes, “I went to see him once at Southport Sands where he was trained, he had a tremendous deep girth and his rider could not pull him up after galloping for 2 miles in the sea! He used to get well back in the Grand National and just sail over the mighty fences very relaxed, then on the second circuit he would make up ground and was still running strong at 4.5 miles.” He also added that the last time Red Rum ran, he carried 12 stone (168 pounds) on his back, and jumped 35 obstacles over a distance of 4.5 miles. Iron horse. And he was a sprinter as a two year old.

Perhaps it’s worthy of a look. In addition to Buckpasser, Havre de Grace’s 4^th dam is Missy Baba, by My Babu, out of Uvira. Speed through Mumtaz Mahal X on top, stamina X through Umidwar and Son-in-Law on the bottom.

Speedy Johnstown, broodmare sire of Nashua comes up the dam line of Blushing Promise, dam of Carson City (Havre de Grace’s broodmare sire). Nijinsky, Carson City’s 2^nd bm sire, ushers Blue Larkspur, Omaha, and Man O’ War X blood. Tudor Minstrel sits in 2^nd broodmare sire position of Blushing Groom, Carson City’s bm sire. Tudor Minstrel combines high class speed X with high class stamina X in the crossing of Lady Josephine with Son-in-Law. Umidwar adds stamina X to Blushing Grooms 3^rd dam, Emali, and Blandford (White Eagle (2^nd broodmare sire of Princequillo), is in an X position through Blushing Grooms broodmare sire, Wild Risk.

Through her sire Saint Liam, Havre de Grace has speedy X horses, Native Dancer and Mahmoud, feeding into 3^rd dam (of Saint Liam) Flight Dancer, and another stamina X horse in 2^nd bm sire, Lyphard (Hurry On, and Gainsborough).

Quiet American continues the balance with a Princequillo X, Mahmoud X, War Admiral X, Man O War X, and a Teddy X.

Havre de Grace’s pedigree is entirely balanced between speed and stamina, in male and female representations, X and non X. Really a fascinating study… and a truly remarkable horse.

She also provides an interesting X factor study.

Born in 2008, Galikova has raced 7 times, winning 5, placing once, and once she didn’t hit the board. But – like her half sister, she is showing toughness, turn of foot, staying power and formidable ability. Provided she stays healthy and sound, her career promises to be thrilling – like her older half sister, Goldikova.

Goldikova was born in 2005, and has won 17 out of 24 starts, placing 4 times, coming in third twice – amassing over $6.5 million, and running strong. Edged by a nose in this year’s Longchamp, she will be looking for her fourth victory in the Breeder’s Cup Mile in America which will be held in November of this year. She is the recipient of 5 awards; Cartier Champion older horse in Europe twice, Cartier Horse of the Year in Europe once, Eclipse Champion Turf mare (American) twice.

It might be said that Born Gold, gives gold.

While it’s possible that Galikova received an X chromosome from Born Gold’s dam, while Goldikova received an X chromosome from Born Gold’s sire (or vice versa), it is also possible that they both received the same X chromosome from Born Gold.

The only difference in that case, would be the X chromosome from their different sires. [Goldikova's information can be found here.]

Galikova’s sire is Galileo. His X factor possibilities are from his dam, Urban Sea.

They include Teddy, Hyperion, Rock Sand, Fair Play, Mannie Himyar, Hermit, Nasrullah, Princequillo, and Buckpasser.

Indeed, these heavy hitters compliment Born Gold’s arsenal. While only one of these lines passes the torch, the similarity to the possibilities in Goldikova’s sire line is striking, particularly with regard to the Lexington/Glencoe nicks found in both sires.

These two mares are strikingly similar, even though their sires are superficially very different.

Questions ensue. Could these two half sisters have gotten their dominant X factor from their sires, while Born Gold’s X chromosome, while supportive, is submissive?

Possibly. So, the other question arises. What about her other foals?

In 1996, Born Gold gave birth to a filly by Sanglamore. Her name is Glamadour. There’s not too much to write home about here. She didn’t do anything on the track at all, and out of 7 starts, didn’t get on the board once. While Sanglamore was a very nice stallion, he really didn’t pack a large heart punch. He doesn’t have the large heart conformation (at least from the side view), and although they might have wanted to double up on Riverman, he was in a sireline position, not an X position.

Born Gold and Caerleon produced a filly named Gold Round in 1997, who was a G3 stakes winner. This cross undoubtedly was hinting at something genetically. Caerleon has a nice large heart conformation, and introduces Hail To Reason to the mix. Hail To Reason has a double X dose of Man O’ War, along with Sir Gallahad and a nice back supply of Pocahontas X.

Born Something, another Caerleon/Born Gold daughter (1998) had a good career, with 15 starts; 4 wins, 3 places, and 4 shows, earning over $150,000. Again, Caerleon sported some very nice X horses, although not up to par with the Lexington/Glencoe titer of Goldikova or Galikova.

It’s looking like the stallions make a big difference…

A gelding by Dr. Devious named Demonious (1999) ran a lot, but didn’t really win a lot. Out of 32 starts, he won 4, and came in 2^nd and 3^rd 8 times combined. A declaration of stamina for sure, but Dr. Devious didn’t shout X factor…and Born Gold’s son would have gotten an X chromosome from her.

In 2000 Born Gold produced a filly named Superfonic by Zafonic. She was supposedly a winner in France, although it seems that her record on Pedigree Query shows only one win out of two races. Zafonic yielded a Man O’ War, Omaha, Blue Larkspur possibility.

Born Gold was bred to Green Tune three times. Green Tune’s broodmare sire was Mr. Prospector. She produced Grade 3 and Grade 2 winners with Red Tune (2001), and Gold Sound (2002). A third full brother has been outstanding so far; his name is Ocean Seven (2007). They would have gotten their X from Born Gold. Nice race horses, but not super powered G1 winners.

She didn’t have a foal in 2003, and in 2004 produced a filly, Neartica by Sadler’s Wells. Neartica raced 11 times, coming in first once, and second once…There were some really nice synergies here, and it doesn’t make sense that this filly didn’t burn the turf up. Genetically, she’s beautiful. Perhaps she lacked desire, conformation or something else. Perhaps her soul had a different purpose.

In 2005, Goldikova was born. Multiple G1 winner and outstanding race horse. She’s been racing for several years…Her sire Anabaa is full of Lexington/Glencoe nicks and other X factor horses.

Born Gold’s daughter Born Again (2006), by Cape Cross, didn’t do much on the track, starting 6 times, and coming in second once. This should have been an explosive combination. Cape Cross sired Sea the Stars and Ouiji Board…but Born Gold just didn’t like him – I guess.

2008 brought Galikova into the world…

And for the future, both on the track and off, a horse to watch will be Anodin, a full brother to Goldikova. He was born in 2010, so we might expect to see him during the autumn of 2012. Definitely in 2013 if all goes well in his life. Because he has received only one X chromosome (hopefully the same one as Goldikova ), not only will his racing performance be of serious interest, but his performance in the breeding shed – particularly as a broodmare sire.

Another colt was born this year (2011): Goldeo…full brother to Galikova.

If Born Gold’s offspring are getting their X factor juice from their sires, these two colts, Goldeo and Anodin might be nice racehorses with great staying power over time, and perhaps over distance – but they won’t shine like Goldikova and Galikova.

And this would make Goldikova and Galikova even more important because they are able to pass on the X chromosome from their sires. That’s if they want to be mothers, and that’s if their environmental conditions are suitable.

But. If Born Gold’s offspring are getting their X factor dominance from Born Gold, we’ll have to hope that the X chromosome that produced Goldikova and Galikova is given to either one (or both) of these colts…

In Drill’s pedigree, I find the Nijinsky/Danzig connection of particular interest. Here are two stallions that had Man O’ War in X positions, and Northern Dancer as a sire. You’ll find Man O’ War in Danzig’s pedigree through Admirals Voyage’s dam, Olympia Lou.

Otherwise, Secretariat’s in an X position, along with Fappiano (Man O’ War, War Admiral, Princequillo and Mahmoud in X positions), and My Babu.

Drill’s pedigree

In Creative Cause’s pedigree, I really like the combination of Secretariat in a non X position, going into the sireline, and the synergistic possibility with Mia Karina, who carries (in X positions) Discovery, Princequillo, Nasrullah, and Sir Gallahad. Particularly like the Nasrullah and Discovery X lines because of their inherent Lexington/Glencoe concentrations.

In addition, Skywalker adds, in X positions: Blue Larkspur (possible connection with Blue Larkspur in Roberto in Giant’s Causeway), Discovery, Count Fleet, and farther back, Rock Sand, Lady Hamburg (L/G) and Mannie Himyar (L/G) (through 4th dam Home-Made). Proper Mary carries My Babu, War Admiral, Bull Dog, and 2 instances of Blue Larkspur.

Creative Cause pedigree

Now. Union Rags.

Sire: Dixie Union. Large heart lines for Dixie Union (for ‘union’s sake – not forgetting that the current idea is that the large heart gene is on the X chromosome, and is passed along to progeny that way. These boys received an X chromosome from their dams – however, Dixie Union has an X chromosome, that has been intermingling with his Y chromosome, and we do not yet know what kind of influence this has on the offspring one, two or even three generations out):

Sweep, Nasrullah, Bull Dog (2), Nashua, Count Fleet, Blue Larkspur, Rock Sand, Hamburg, St. Simon, Man O’ War (2), Jamestown, Domino, War Admiral (2), Sir Gallahad

Grandsire Dixieland Band: Blue Larkspur, Bathing Girl (3rd dam of War Admiral)(2), Hamburg, Sally McClelland (2), Starshoot (Hermit), Bonnie Blue (full sister to Sally McClelland), St. Simon, Man O’War, Lexington (2), Glencoe(3), Rock Sand

This gives the X lines of Union Rags a lot to hang a hat on. X lines include: Secretariat, Bull Lea, Star Shoot, Bonnie Blue (full sister to Sally McClelland), St. Simon, Blue Larkspur, Omaha, Man O’ War, Pretty Polly (Donatello), and  Mumtaz Mahal. At least.

Union Rags has another advantage when it comes to the 2011 Breeder’s Cup, and hopefully, a very exciting three year old campaign; stamina. Loads of it.

Union Rags pedigree

From a strictly ‘paper’ point of view, in other words, not having actually met either of these horses in person…I’d have to say that Union Rags is way out front, followed by Creative Cause who edges Drill slightly in the large heart analysis. But that’s in my opinion. It doesn’t account for will power, determination, intellect, soundness of limb, track conditions, weather conditions,  luck or anything else…

Wishing them all a safe trip in the 2011 Breeder’s Cup.

By AP Indy, and out of Cara Rafaela, Bernardini was destined to have a major influence on Thoroughbreds. Bernardini’s pedigree is here.

This horse exudes X factor; which seeps from every pore and languishes on every strand of DNA. In fact, I don’t think there’s an X line in his entire pedigree that lacks possibilities, and in my ‘book’, all his lines are lines you’d hope for. Just one of these lines could produce a large hearted horse if it were placed properly in just one lucky line in a horse out in your barn.

Starting at the 5 gen, right to left, bottom to top, there are several horses that just pop out. One of which is Never Bend, a horse already discussed in the previous article on Goldikova.

In Bernardini’s pedigree, he is the 4^th broodmare sire. Once again, some of his X factor possibilities include, Stockwell, St. Simon, Blue Larkspur, Teddy, and Pocohontas.

He was bred to Bernardini’s fifth dam, Fairway Fun. She offers Domino in two X lines, Hermit, Hamburg, Teddy, Blue Larkspur and Count Fleet.

Third broodmare sire, Northern Dancer offers Hermit, Hamburg, St. Simon, Mahmoud, and Discovery (at the very least. These instances are in addition to other lines carrying the possibility of the Pocohantas heart gene.

Second broodmare sire, Specatular Bid: Hermit, Whisk Broom, Rock Sand (Man O’ War’s broodmare sire), Bull Dog, another Whisk Broom, Sir Gallahad (full brother to Bull Dog), and Mahmoud. Again, this is in addition to several other Pocahontas X lines.

Broodmare sire, Quiet American. One of my favorites. From the bottom: Man O’ War, Mahmoud, Princiquillo, Pretty Polly, a double dose of Canterbury Pilgrim, Hamburg, Lexington daughter Bay Flower [NOTE: 5^th dam of Tea Caddy and full sister, Tea Biscuit – the dam of Hard Tack; sire of Seabiscuit], and War Admiral.

But Bernardini’s pedigree offers so much more. It is known that the sire line has a great deal of influence on conformation, and the top side of this pedigree is stacked with large heart horses. My Babu, Sir Gaylord, Buckpasser, Secretariat and Seattle Slew.

In previous articles, I’ve also mentioned the sire line as a possible co-factor in the large heart story. In order to ascertain whether or not it is actually true, a great deal of research needs to be done. According to Gus Cothran, prominent equine genetic expert and researcher, we don’t really know the mechanism for expression. We only know that heart size varies a great deal.

In any case, there’s no doubt that Bernardini is an absolutely stunning power house, brimming with genetic stars and genetic potential. It’s no wonder he has produced such wonderful horses as Stay Thirsty and To Honor and Serve.

…and it’s no wonder that the world waits anxiously for the first piece of artwork created by Bernardini and Zenyatta…

View here

(page 12)

“Large heart genes resonate very strongly all across Zenyatta’s bloodlines, making her an extremely strong candidate for possessing a larger than average sized heart.

Another powerful aspect genetically speaking, is the tail female occurrence of Hamburg, which backs the lineup with Glencoe daughters, and the almighty Lexington/Glencoe daughter nick.”

Another article of interest about Zenyatta is here.

On to Goldikova.

By Anabaa, out of Born Gold, Goldikova sports a Northern Dancer sire line, and a Nasrullah sire line on her dam’s side. She is inbred to Northern Dancer 3S x 4S, Nearco 5S x 5D x 6D, and Riverman 4s x 4d.

Since Riverman is in an X position, we’ll start with him. For X factor wonks/geeks, I recommend reading pedigrees from right to left, bottom to top. If you can start from 7 – 9 generations out, that’s even better. You will get a much better tally in your brain about the X factor possibilities handed over to an individual, and with that notion, you may see just where those possibilities dovetail themselves with the sireline. Based upon the repetition of known X factor horses, probabilities may be calculated (personally, I love to see the X chromosome connection (from the distaff side) made with the second or third sire (of the sire)).

Personally, I read male and female pedigrees the same way, and then consider the dam line of the female’s sire after the initial reading. In this way, I can calculate the dam’s influence and the sire’s influence separately. This becomes important in my own research, and in my own determination about which lines may exert ‘dominance’ when the conceptual, fetal and foal develepmental environmental conditions are ideal.

Back to Riverman on Goldikova’s dam’s side. He sired his champion daughter (winner of 7 out of 14 starts, including the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe) Gold River, out of a mare named Glaneuse. Riverman himself was by Never Bend (Nasrullah x Lalun), and out of River Lady.

Immediately, four X factor horses jump out of River Lady’s pedigree, all in X factor positions. Man O’ War, Blue Larkspur, Count Fleet and Buckup. Through the famous mare Buckup, we have Domino times two. One instance through Sweep, and one through Running Stream…

Sun Teddy is also in an X position. He is rather humble, but carries tremendous possibilities through his broodmare sire Sun Briar, his 2^nd broodmare sire Whisk Broom, his 3^rd broodmare sire Yankee, and his 4^th broodmare sire Hastings (the grand sire of Man O’ War).

These horses are genetically supported by Never Bend’s sire line. The instance of Blue Larkspur in tail female position of Never Bend may have ushered the Blue Larkspur X factor of River Lady into prominence; or, perhaps Mumtaz Begum of Never Bend’s sire, Nasrullah, attracted the expression of Domino (through Buckup) or similar genes through Whisk Broom or Yankee from the Sun Teddy line…

Previous articles have exposed the explosive capability of the Lexington/Glencoe nick. This highly charged element is abundantly present in the pedigrees of Zenyatta and Goldikova. I suspect that this nick plays a very important part in her tremendous ability. It is important to note that whether this nick is in the X position or not, it has had a tremendous influence for decades.

NOTE: although Man O’ War’s large heart possibilities primarily stem from Hermit and Pocahontas, he does carry this famous nick in his sire line through his 3^rd sire Spendthrift. Secretariat was also a huge recipient of the Lexington/Glencoe nick through Nearco, Nasrullah, and Bold Ruler. His dam side carried a large dose of the Glencoe daughter, Pocahontas, which served as a synergistic compliment…Hermit (X) was also dispersed throughout Secretariat’s pedigree…

As stated earlier, Riverman’s daughter, Gold River, was out of a mare named Glaneuse. Glaneuse’s pedigree highlights none other than Nearco as her 3^rd broodmare sire. Nearco carries the Lexington/Glencoe nick in X position through his 3^rd dam Sibola. Sibola also presents a line of Hermit X.

Through her sire Snob, Glaneuse possesses Rialto (2^nd broodmare sire of Snob), a horse often overlooked. He brings a mare named Value to the fore, and her name indicates the nature of her contribution. By Hanover and out of Keepsake, she offers Onondaga, a champion two year old out of Susan Beane. Susan Beane was by Lexington, and out of the Glencoe daughter, Sally Lewis. Great find.

Goldikova’s 2^nd broodmare sire is Lyphard, who brings in a dominant force of Pocahontas in most of his X lines.

Goldikova’s broodmare sire, Blushing Groom offers an interesting balance of Rialto. This time through a Rialto son, Wild Risk. X lines through Wild Risk primarily offer Pocohantas.

Another ‘Blushing Groom’ X chromosome possibility exists. The powerful Lexington/Glencoe nick through Lady Josephine on its way to Tudor Minstrel, Blushing Groom’s 2nd broodmare sire.

Right now, there is a tremendous sanctioning of power. And there’s more to come.

Through Anabaa, Goldikova’s sire, there is a duplication of Riverman, which ups the ante for expression. Anabaa’s line supports the L/G nick through his 3^rd broodmare sire, Kashmir (Lady Josephine on the top and bottom, non-X and X respectively).

Through Anabaa’s 4^th dam Bergame, another Rialto X possibility is found, and another Nogara (dam of Nearco) X through Niccolo Dellarca…

Through Anabaa’s broodmare sire, Gay Mecene: Sir Gaylord and Missy Baba. Shouldn’t have to say any more than that, but Sir Gaylord is of course out Secretariat’s dam, Somethingroyal (Hermit and Pocohantas Xs), and Missy Baba proudly serves up another Lady Josephine through the ‘flying filly’, Mumtaz Mahal (My Babu line). Another high dose of Pocahontas X lines are also present.

So, when we talk about ‘X chromosomes’, and what they might contain, we find that there are too many possibilities to enumerate. This is why it is easier to follow stallions, since they only have one. And that’s the one they pass along to their daughters. Anabaa may have passed the incomparable L/G nick X, but even then, either it is the Glencoe X (which produced Pocahontas), or it is the Lexington X…

It might be interesting to theorize the following: since we know that the combination of Lexington and Glencoe was tremendously successful in the past, it may be interesting to postulate that it is just as successful today.

What if Anabaa gave Goldikova a Lexington X, and Born Gold gave her a Glencoe X? When those two chromosomes combine, it seems we can expect something marvelous. It has been said (also in theory), that the Y chromosome is actually a degraded copy of the X chromosome. Perhaps, in a horse like Secretariat, the recent ‘echo’ of Lexington (Y) called out to the vitally strong Glencoe X. Who knows?

In any case, the L/G nick presents in too many great horses to be ignored. Combined with the forces of Hermit and Pocahontas, many remarkable horses have been created. In this way, Zenyatta and Goldikova are kissing cousins. Along with others.

Secretariat’s daughter, Lady’s Secret was another shining example.

This mare, an incredibly talented race mare, won over 3 million dollars in the 1980′s. Dainty and small, she was a dominant force, beating the country’s best males. She weighed approximately 900 pounds, diminutive in stature perhaps, but a heavyweight in willpower and soul.

Great Lady M, Lady’s Secret’s dam, may have had two L/G female nick X chromosomes: one from My Babu, and one from Discovery through Native Dancer. If this was so, Lady’s Secret would have inherited one of those L/G X chromosomes, and one of the X chromosomes from Secretariat (Hermit X or Pocahontas X from Somethingroyal). Whichever of those X chromosomes expressed more fully, is the root of the mystery in the genetic portion of the story.

The other mystery is ‘why’. Why does this gene, present in most (if not all) thoroughbreds, express itself more fully in one, and not the other? Environment undoubtedly plays a part. Earlier, I stated that there is a ‘conceptual’ environment. This is the place where the will of the horse plays a role in creation.

I’m not referring to the emotional state of the horse, although this is extremely important. It includes relative feelings of security and contentment. Not talking about the physical state of the horse either, because general health in this regard is considered a no brainer.

I’m talking about the horse’s ability to think; to measure, to understand his or her own Nature, and the ability to express that Nature to its fullest potential. I’m talking about the horse’s awareness of his or her own tendencies, talents, and needs. I’m talking about their sentience.

Lady’s Secret loved to run. She loved to compete. She loved what she was doing. This she did willingly and freely like her mother, and her father.

She was retired to the breeding shed at 5 and died the following year due to the complications of foaling.

Perhaps she just wanted to keep running. I realize that for many in the industry, the longest homestretch of all is the one where we might consider the thoughts and feelings of an animal. I mean, how can we do that when we don’t speak the same language? How do we do that when so much money is on the line?

It brings me to a final burning point. Breeding the best to the best alone may preserve the genetic power of the breed, but in order to truly honor the co-creative process a conscious choice must be present; for the horse. It’s part of the formula that is consistently and sadly neglected.

Breeding theories and systems have their place. But what about intuition? What about that deeper more subtle voice that floats around in quantum packages? What would happen if we tapped into that?

Call me crazy, but in my opinion, the most powerful, positive force in all of Nature would be unleashed, changing the lives of our horses and us, forever. Maybe that’s part of Zenyatta’s and Goldikova’s message…